Jackson Township man convicted of rape involving two teenage girls

A jury in Stark County Common Pleas Court convicted a 21-year-old Jackson Township man on two rape charges involving two teenage girls. Steven M. Meeks II will be sentenced on Thursday.

Ed Balint CantonRep.com staff writer @ebalintREP

A jury found a 21-year-old Jackson Township man guilty of raping two drunken teens in separate cases that were part of the same trial.

Following a four-day trial in Stark County Common Pleas Court, Steven M. Meeks II, 21, 5310 Echohill Ave. NW, was convicted late Friday afternoon on rape and sexual battery charges involving victims who were 19 years old and 14 years old at the time.

The jury deliberated for more than three hours. Meeks also was found guilty of single counts of gross sexual imposition and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

The rapes occurred in 2011 and 2012, and both victims were heavily intoxicated, according to the prosecution. Meeks had not been drinking, according to testimony.

Meeks faces up to 22 years in prison. A sentencing hearing is set for 11 a.m. Thursday before Stark County Common Pleas Judge Kristin Farmer.

A younger victim — now 17 years old — testified that Meeks raped her while she was drunk at a small party at a fellow Jackson High School student's home in March 2011. The older victim was 19 when she said Meeks raped her in April 2012.

Meeks took the stand and denied raping either teen.

SPECIAL PROSECUTOR

A special prosecutor from Medina County — Matthew Razavi — handled the case so the Stark County Prosecutor's office could avoid any potential conflict of interest.

Stark County Prosecutor John D. Ferrero has been longtime friends with Meeks' father, Steve, a former Stark County commissioner and Jackson Township trustee. Ferrero also was prosecutor when Meeks was a commissioner.

"I'm satisfied that the jury's verdict will make Mr. Meeks accountable for sexually assaulting these young ladies when they were in a vulnerable state," Razavi said.

Both victims testified they were initially reluctant to report the rapes to authorities. The older victim said she was fond of Meeks' family. She also was concerned police would not believe her account. Her allegations led police to the younger girl, who had not reported her assault.

An investigation began in May 2012, leading to Meeks' indictment in August 2013.

TWO INCIDENTS

Meeks, the older victim and another young man drove from Jackson Township to Akron on a Saturday night in April 2012. On the way, the victim testified, she drank three or four beers with a higher than average alcohol content. At the bar she drank two mixed drinks, she testified.

Meeks, a college student studying mechanical engineering, later drove the female home. They were close friends and he testified he had spent the night there, sleeping in her bed, in the past.

The victim said she went to bed drunk. Later she woke up to find Meeks positioning her body for sex, the woman testified. The woman said she couldn't speak, and wasn't sure if she was dreaming as it occurred.

The victim testified she later realized that Meeks had raped her. During testimony, Meeks denied the accusation and said the woman initiated consensual sex.

The other victim was a Jackson High School freshman at the time. Meeks was a senior. She admitted to getting intoxicated — the first time she got drunk — in the basement of another student's home following the winter formal.

Meeks carried the 14-year-old girl into a bedroom, according to the testimony of another person at the party. Meeks later walked out with his shirt off and the girl naked on the bed, according to testimony.

Meeks denied having sex with the girl. He said he took her to the bedroom so she could sleep off the effects of the alcohol.

Meeks' attorney, Jeff Jakmides, sought to have the cases tried separately but Farmer overruled that motion.